[Peter Creasey]

I haven't had a flu shot since I was in the National Guard 40 years ago.

All the hype about the swine flu and its vaccine got my attention. It wasn't an easy decision, especially given the seemingly unproven safeness and efficacy of the vaccine, but I gave in and received the vaccine a few hours ago.

Thus far, I'm still alive and kicking and not feeling too poorly.

Still not sure I did the right thing, though!

[Suzanne F]

I figure that the safety and efficacy are each at worst 50%: either it's safe or it isn't; either it works or it doesn't. So I don't see it as any extraordinary risk either way.

It's been years since I've had a flu shot, too. But: 1) I'm not in any high-risk group, and 2) I'm not often out and about, potentially getting exposed. Probably not going to make an effort to try to get either regular or H1N1 vaccine this year, then.

That said, I am in the camp that says the parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated against anything are abusing their kids and are a menace to society. That's why measles, which were almost totally wiped out, are on the rise again. They justify their position by citing the numbers on negative side effects, as though the odds of those were 100%. If they were, wouldn't we all be autistic, or whatever it is they fear?

[Peter Creasey]

I just realized that I may now have achieved double protection. I have had the swine flu vaccination and we have a lot of red wine at our house...

Red Wine Chemical Cuts Flu Risk

I only wish the article had referenced "swine flu" rather than just "flu".

[mongo_jones]

all three of us got the swine flu vaccine two weeks ago. we are not dead yet either.

[Rail Paul]

The Wall Street Journal reports that the neckties worn by (male) doctors may be contributing to the spread of disease.

Tests of neckties, which are rarely ever laundered, show that 42% carry virus and other pathogens. During medical examinations, the neckties remain very close to the patient's sneeze level.

Older doctors show no interest in discarding a symbol of their profession, while younger doctors press for a more casual look, the paper says. Caught in the middle, the American Medical Association wants another study.

The necktie industry, fearing it will go to the same dustbin as the men's hat industry, has rushed out a tie coated with an anti-microbial finish...

[splinky]

that's super gross not to clean something that wraps around your sweaty neck, that you touch with your dirty hands.

[bloviatrix]

The Wall Street Journal reports that the neckties worn by (male) doctors may be contributing to the spread of disease.

Tests of neckties, which are rarely ever laundered, show that 42% carry virus and other pathogens. During medical examinations, the neckties remain very close to the patient's sneeze level.

Older doctors show no interest in discarding a symbol of their profession, while younger doctors press for a more casual look, the paper says. Caught in the middle, the American Medical Association wants another study.

The necktie industry, fearing it will go to the same dustbin as the men's hat industry, has rushed out a tie coated with an anti-microbial finish...

One of my friends, who is a gastroenterologist, wears bow ties for this exact reason - they don't get in the away and are less likely to get "stuff" on them.

[hollywood]

that's super gross not to clean something that wraps around your sweaty neck, that you touch with your dirty hands.

and you wanna date a werewolf!

[splinky]

that's super gross not to clean something that wraps around your sweaty neck, that you touch with your dirty hands.

and you wanna date a werewolf!

helllooooo! he'd have a regular groomer

[Rail Paul]

that's super gross not to clean something that wraps around your sweaty neck, that you touch with your dirty hands.

generally, a man's tie is worn on the outside of the neck band of the shirt, and the "wings" of the collar fold down to enclose it. It would be unusual for a person other than a Chippendale to wear a tie directly against his sweaty neck.

The dangling part does have the potential to get filthy, though.

[splinky]

that's super gross not to clean something that wraps around your sweaty neck, that you touch with your dirty hands.

generally, a man's tie is worn on the outside of the neck band of the shirt, and the "wings" of the collar fold down to enclose it. It would be unusual for a person other than a Chippendale to wear a tie directly against his sweaty neck.

The dangling part does have the potential to get filthy, though.

so your shirt neckbands don't allow sweat to come through onto ties? do you wear a lot of latex tops? but thanks for explaining how neckties work, to me

[Rail Paul]

that's super gross not to clean something that wraps around your sweaty neck, that you touch with your dirty hands.

generally, a man's tie is worn on the outside of the neck band of the shirt, and the "wings" of the collar fold down to enclose it. It would be unusual for a person other than a Chippendale to wear a tie directly against his sweaty neck.

The dangling part does have the potential to get filthy, though.

so your shirt neckbands don't allow sweat to come through onto ties?

Generally, no. The interior neck band is at least double thickness cloth. I suppose there's some possibility that sweat could bleed through if the shirt was tight, etc.

do you wear a lot of latex tops? but thanks for explaining how neckties work, to me

No. I don't own a latex top, although I have scads of neckties. And, have those that I wear regularly laundered occasionally.

[mongo_jones]

The dangling part does have the potential to get filthy, though.

if it doesn't you're doing it wrong.